Yarmuth Says Several Democrats Could Unseat McConnell in 2014

One of Kentucky’s two Democratic Congressmen believes his party has a good shot at unseating U.S. Senator Mitch McConnell in 2014. So far, many of the state’s top Democrats have announced plans to avoid challenging the Senate Minority Leader. That includes Attorney General Jack Conway, who ran for Senate against Rand Paul in 2010, former state Auditor Crit Luallen and current Auditor Adam Edelen.

But Congressman John Yarmuth says he believes most of the other well known Democrats could unseat McConnell, including Governor Steve Beshear or Congressman Ben Chandler.

Yarmuth is a constant critic of McConnell, and has often challenged him to debates.

“I think there are a lot of people out there who could beat him. I think he’s very vulnerable, he’s basically severed his ties with Kentucky,” Yarmuth says. "I don’t think I’d be the strongest candidate to be running against Mitch McConnell, although I’d love the opportunity to debate him." McConnell has already built up a sizeable campaign war chest, not including money that's been raised through his own political action committee or any super PACs that support him.

And the senator has also taken steps to prepare for the election, including setting up social media accounts and releasing web videos touting his work for the last few years. These moves could also block a potential primary challenger, who would run to the right of McConnell. McConnell has often run on his ability to bring federal money to Kentucky, but with the Tea Party's crusade against earmarks, the senator's election pitch will have to change.